Jon Harley: Portsmouth install Chelsea academy manager as assistant head coach

Jon Harley (right) has coached youngsters at Chelsea for the past 10 years

League One club Portsmouth have appointed Jon Harley as their new assistant head coach.

The 43-year-old former Pompey defender has left his job with Chelsea's development squad to take up the role under new head coach John Mousinho.

"We spoke to quite a few people," sporting director Richard Hughes told the club website.

"Jon's face lit up whenever he talked about Pompey and you can tell he has an affinity for this football club."

Harley spent most of his playing career as a left-back with Chelsea, Fulham, Burnley and Watford before a short stint with Pompey toward the end of his career, in 2012-13.

"Coupled with his coaching background - where he's spent 10 years with Chelsea and worked with some of the best talents in the country - he's going to add value," Hughes added.

Mousinho has guided Portsmouth to three wins, a draw and two losses since taking over the job at the end of January.

With Pompey up to 10th place in League One and 12 points outside the play-off places, he has been looking to add to his backroom staff.

"Jon is a great guy who's going to fit in with what we're trying to do here," Mousinho said.

"He is an excellent coach and Chelsea have a great track record of bringing through players to feature in their first team or have good careers elsewhere - he's had a big role in that.

"That was a big part in coming here because we also want to bring young players in here and help to develop them."

A surprise appointment?

Analysis from BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator Andy Moon

When John Mousinho was appointed the club made it clear an "experienced" assistant would join him.

It was assumed this would be an older, former manager, but Mousinho clarified that it was someone with a number of years' coaching experience that he was after.

Portsmouth intend to put their faith in upcoming individuals on the pitch and are going with that philosophy off the pitch as well, although one source I spoke to this week was surprised the club hadn't bought in someone with more first-team coaching experience.

Jon Harley's face may have lit up talking about his Pompey playing experience. However, he was there for some extremely challenging times when the very future of the club was uncertain and poor results seemed the least of fans' concerns.